. >> it is president obama's highly evened response to the sandy hook school shooting. a sweeping plan to overhaul america's gun laws. details came today at a white house ceremony. the $500 billion blueprint a is mixture of executive orders, and proposed legislation. the broader and more impactful ideas need congress to act. the president appealed to the hearts and minds of americans, while urging those lawmakers to act, and act soon. >> reporter: the president surrounded himself, with some of the children he knew gun laws will help protect. four children who wrote him letters. >> she said i know that laws have to be passed by congress. but i beg you to try very hardly. julia, i will try very hardly. >> reporter: he then laid out what he will push congress to pass. the assault rifles ban. require background checks on all gun sales. 40% of sales right now have no such checks. renew a 10 round limit on ammunition magazines, and more. >> the only way we can change, is if the american people demand it. >> reporter: then the president did what he could without action. he sig